THE GAP OF DUNLOE: An Irish Travel Blog, Enjoy!

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IRISH DEPLOMACY IS THE ABILITY TO TELL A MAN TO GO TO HELL

SO THAT HE LOOKS FORWARD TO MAKING THE TRIP

ERIN GO BRAGH:  IRELAND FOREVER

There are approximately 3 million people in Ireland and 40 million people of Irish descent in America.  Those in Ireland really do not appreciate someone like me, with my West Virginia twang,  saying "I'm Irish", although my Dad's people did come from Ireland.  

"Ce'ad Mile Fa'ilte" meaning "You are welcome a thousand times over".  I have been told by the Irish that they resent those who come to Ireland with fine dress and expensive manners.  The Irish are a plain, fun loving people.  The "Ugly American" syndrome.

GOD INVENTED WHISKEY TO KEEP THE IRISH FROM RULING THE WORLD

WALT AND JULIE

This picture on the right was taken of my lovely wife, Julie, and I during our first visit to Ireland.  I dressed plainly, my wife, on-the-other-hand, dressed like the other American ladies in our tour group.   When I returned to solo backpack the west coast of Ireland,  I dressed exactly like the Irish.  No, I didn't blend in at 6' 2", but I did not stand out.

MAY YOU DIE IN BED AT 95, JUSTLY SHOT BY A JEALOUS WIFE

THE GAP OF DUNLOE

I enjoyed every moment and every inch of Ireland--well, maybe not the porter--but otherwise, nothing more so than climbing through the Gap of Dunloe and boating down the Lakes of Killarney.  The Gap of Dunloe is one of the most stunningly beautiful parts of County Kerry.  Stretching through the MacGuillicuddy Reeks mountain range, it simply must be experienced to be appreciated.

YOU KNOW IT'S SUMMER IN IRELAND WHEN THE RAIN GETS WARMER

KATE KEARNEY'S COTTAGE

A van took the few in the group, who were wise enough to know that the Gap of Dunloe was far more beautiful than the alternative shopping trip would be, to Kate Kearney's Cottage.  Just as quaint and Irish as the name sounds,  I bought myself a shillelagh and a plaid golfing cap with a tassel on top.  Nah! No body in Ireland dresses like that but it sure impresses the people back home who don't know the difference.  The tea and scones were marvelous.

THE IRISH DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT

AND ARE READY TO FIGHT TO THE DEATH TO GET IT

AN IRISH TRAP

My wife and I, along with friends from Michigan, boarded a trap, a small cart for four, pulled by a small Irish horse and headed up the six mile trail over the mountain and  through the Gap of Dunloe.  These little traps have been in the families down through the generations.  Our driver, who walked, was named Paderick and his horse was named Billy.  IF YOU KNOW PADERICK,  SAY HI FOR ME.

NODDING THE HEAD DOES NOT ROW THE BOAT

BLACK VILLAGE, GAP OF DUNLOE

Through the Gap of Dunloe  you come to Black Village, Paderick's home.  He introduced us to his Mother, a gracious lady with red hair and freckles.  Paderick who was only  16 years of age at the time, was a well propertied young man.  In addition to his little horse, Billy, he owned sheep and geese.  He knew which were his by the colors of the paint dobbed on them.  There were no roads to this isolated, Irish village.

PUT A SILK COAT ON A GOAT AND HE WILL STILL BE A GOAT

BOATING DOWN THE LAKES OF KILLARNEY

No where in this land of castles  is more beloved than the Killarney Lakes.  From the Black Village we boarded small boats for an exciting ride down three lakes to our van which was now at Ross Castle, regaled on the way with the most exaggerated  tales.

YOU'VE GOT TO DO YOUR OWN GROWING,

NO MATTER HOW TALL YOUR GRANDFATHER WAS 

There is a saying that "The British and the Americans are one people divided by a common language".  This is true everywhere around the world.  The same word can have an entirely different meaning.  Asking about the "Rest Room" in Ireland is a social faux pas.  The word you're looking for is "jacks".

  The men's toilet is the "fir  jacks" and the ladies toilet is the "ban jacks".  If you are sincere, the Irish are a forgiving people so don't sweat the language.

PATIENCE CAN CONQUER DESTINY

FILMED IN CONG, COUNTY MAYO
I hiked throughout this area

GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR'S

GOD BLESS 

IRELAND

and

THE USA 

GOD BLESS MY IRISH READERS